Shloka 11
Nara-Nārāyaṇa Precedent and Bhīṣma’s Counsel on Kṛṣṇa–Arjuna; Karṇa’s Reply
तदा देवासुरे युद्धे भये जाते दिवौकसाम् | अयाचत महात्मानौ नरनारायणौ वरम्,उन दिनों देवासुर-संग्राम उपस्थित था और उसमें देवताओंको महान् भय प्राप्त हुआ अतः उन्होंने उन दोनों महात्मा नर-नारायणसे वरदान माँगा
tadā devāsure yuddhe bhaye jāte divaukasām | ayācata mahātmānau naranārāyaṇau varam |
അപ്പോൾ ദേവാസുരയുദ്ധം ഉയർന്നു, സ്വർഗ്ഗവാസികളെ മഹാഭയം പിടികൂടി; അതിനാൽ അവർ മഹാത്മാക്കളായ നര-നാരായണരോട് വരം യാചിച്ചു.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
In crisis, power alone is insufficient: even the gods turn toward those established in tapas and dharma. The verse highlights the ethical hierarchy where spiritual authority and righteousness become the true refuge amid violence and fear.
A deva–asura battle has broken out, and the gods are frightened. They approach the twin sages Nara and Nārāyaṇa and request a boon—setting up their intervention or assistance in the conflict.